Best American Restaurants in Chinatown
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Howlin' Ray's
Nashville hot chicken with six heat levels up to Carolina Reaper intensity
Notable Picks
8.4
Nashville hot chicken executed by a chef who trained under Thomas Keller and Gordon Ramsay—seven heat levels from mild to Carolina Reaper territory. The chicken arrives with perfectly crisp skin and juicy interior; heat calibration here runs hotter than competitors at equivalent tiers. Staff hospitality stands out in a counter-service format, with genuine warmth that regulars cite as part of the draw.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sando, Chicken on the Bone, Jojo-Style Sando
What Makes it Special: Nashville hot chicken with six heat levels up to Carolina Reaper intensity
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
The 1908 original that put French dip on the map—beef hand-carved to order, rolls dunked in natural jus at the counter, sawdust still on the floor. The communal-table, cafeteria-line format rewards decisive ordering and a willingness to elbow in during peak hours. Go for the double-dipped beef and expect the experience to feel like a working lunch counter that happens to be a monument.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef French Dip Double-Dipped, Lamb French Dip, Pickled Eggs
What Makes it Special: Credited as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich since 1908, with meat hand-carved and rolls dipped in natural roasting juices
#3
Lasita
8.1
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Filipino rotisserie and natural wine in Far East Plaza with a house-party buzz. The chicken is smoky and juicy, and the sides swing bright and funky.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Inasal, Pork Belly Sisig, Calamansi Cream Pie
What Makes it Special: Rotisserie Filipino cooking paired with a deep natural-wine list.
#4
Nick's Cafe
8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Old-school diner comfort that’s steady, generous, and exactly what you want before a day downtown. Expect griddle classics, brisk pacing, and a loyal morning crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Biscuits & Gravy
What Makes it Special: Reliable classic LA diner breakfast with big portions.
#5
Baby Bistro
8
Chef Miles Thompson runs a tight six-dish progression out of an 1890s Victorian bungalow in Chinatown, where the entire 35-seat room fires the same concise seasonal menu each night. The format rewards diners who want to hand over the reins—ankimo torchon and passionfruit-dressed spaghetti squash signal a kitchen comfortable with Japanese and European technique applied to California produce. Best approached as a complete experience rather than an à la carte stop, with the intimate scale and historic setting doing most of the atmospheric work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Country Bread with Liptauer Cheese, Ankimo Torchon, Spaghetti Squash with Passionfruit
What Makes it Special: Chef Miles Thompson serves a concise six-dish seasonal menu inside an 1890s Victorian bungalow that seats just 35, designed to be fired as a complete progression.